Matter detector, sensor and locator device and methods of operation

ABSTRACT

A detector/sensor/locator device for objects and materials of interest comprises a Faraday cage for containing or suspending a sample object or material of interest. The object or material of interest under principles of quantum theory emits electromagnetic radiation having a unique electromagnetic signature. The Faraday cage may have a cone-shape for channeling emitted electromagnetic waves upward to a barrel having mounted therein an L-shaped antenna element which may be free to rotate horizontally about the barrel or fixed in parallel with a second antenna element of similar length extending from a side of the barrel. The first and second antennae elements cooperate to detect, sense the presence of and locate a target object, the free-to-rotate antenna element capable of pointing in the direction of the target object or material. A magnetometer may be attached to an antenna element and monitored for electromagnetic field strength and/or an oscilloscope may be utilized to display signals taken from antennae coils associated with the barrel. Two magnets may be attached to the antenna elements to enhance the magnetic field. A very low frequency wave may be used to enhance (modulate) the electromagnetic wave radiation generated by the object or material of interest in comparison with a like received electromagnetic wave of unique signature of the object/material of interest.

The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/641,213 filed Mar. 6, 2015, of the sameinventors which claims the benefit of and right of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/949,530 filed Mar. 7, 2014by the same inventors, both applications incorporated by reference as totheir entire contents.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the technical field of thedetection, sensing of presence and location of matter typically in solidor liquid form by means of a device including at least one antenna wherematter may be defined broadly as including but not limited to DNA,metals (ferrous and non-ferrous), precious and semi-precious jewels,flora, gun powder, propellants, explosives, pharmaceuticals andnarcotics, nuclear materials, currency in the form of paper currency aswell as coin currency, precious, semi-precious and rare earth materialsand dielectric and piezoelectric materials and, more particularly, to adevice having a chamber portion for placing therein a sample of acertain object or material to be located or approximated and first andsecond antennae which may be enhanced by magnetic fields or coils forinteracting with the object sample and for detecting, sensing thepresence of and locating matter like the object sample.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A complex problem presented for discussion is that of detecting thepresence of an object similar to or identical in composition to anobject under investigation. For many years, mankind may have used adivining rod, for example, to envision the presence of water under theground such as farmland and use the divining rod to determine where todig a well such that an abundance of water could be tapped as close tothe surface as possible. Such a divining rod is disclosed in DE4011344of Reinhard Schneider filed Apr. 7, 1990 and published Oct. 10, 1991. Anantenna is disclosed having slidable glides for tuning the antenna to afrequency of interest. The antenna has handles which may be used by aseeking individual to locate an object sought by the process of“dowsing” with the divining rod. Divining rods involve movement—one rodrotating relative to another, for example. While perhaps not asserted incertain prior art, allowing for rod motion or so-called dowsing may notbe required for operation.

A related game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,950 issued toVenditti Feb. 27, 1973, involving a further divining rod. The diviningrod, like that of Schneider, has handles and comprises a rod portion atwhich distal end is mounted a magnet. The target object is one of aplurality of cards which may mean something to the user which are placedon a board and intuitively selected by magnetic attraction of thedivining rod to an allegedly random card of choice.

A well-known detector of metal may be used for sport or for homelandsecurity purposes, for example, to screen passengers at airports.Examples of known metal detectors are described and shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,334,192 (the '192 patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,575,065 assigned toGarrett Electronics of Texas and in U. S. Published Patent ApplicationNo.'s 2003/00107377 of Jun. 12, 2003 by Uzman and 2008/0094065 of Apr.24, 2008 to Candy. An available product for combing beaches, forexample, for coins is the Garrett Electronics Model ATX “extreme pulseinduction” which utilizes a pulse excitation of a coil at an adjustable730 pulses per second. By way of example, and as discussed in the '192patent a search coil, operated, for example, at 5 kHz, is positionedabove the earth's surface, ferrous (non-valuable) metal may be rejectedby receiving and filtering out a known ferrous signal and a receive coildetects desirable metals such as silver and gold. “A change in magneticcoupling” between the transmit and receive coils indicates a desiredmetallic object.

International publication WO87/00933 published Feb. 12, 1987, by IainSaul, suggests that, in addition to a receive coil that a capacitiveplate may be provided as a receiver, (a transmit coil is used as withmetal detection). Saul indicates that the disclosed detector device maylocate wall studs (dielectric material) as well as, for example, copperwiring for use in building remodeling.

In practice, known divining rod devices and metal detectors are limitedas to the form of matter capable of detection and location and also asto distance from the device. For example, one model of a GarrettElectronics metal detector operates to a depth of ten feet of sand (andmay be operated under water).

Most recently, Katz et al., “Direct MD Simulations of TerahertzAbsorption and 2D Spectroscopy Applied to Explosive Crystals,” appearingin The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. 2014, vol. 5, pp. 772-776proposes the use of light to locate specific threatening materials.Pulses are applied by a terahertz frequency carrier to a substance underinvestigation and a multi-dimensional spectral response is provided thatmay be linked, for example, to explosive crystals such as RDX and TAPT.

According to quantum physics theory, a perfect black body absorbs allincident radiation (and so is perfectly black). In actuality, matterexhibits black body radiation when stimulated by any source having, forexample, a temperature above 0° K. Black body radiation may be passiveor actively collected and is known to provide a signature for the matter(material) under investigation. Collecting such a spectrum and matchingit to that of a known sample is possible to identify, for example, alike known sample of matter.

The prior art discloses detectors for use in locating metals anddielectric materials. It remains in the art to develop a device thatdetects, senses the presence of and locates matter of practically anykind using, for example, a stationary or mobile method of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device which can be utilized in one ofa stationary and a mobile mode to detect, sense the presence of andlocate a like material to that which is deposited in a cone-like portionthereof, for example, comprising a Faraday cage container. In oneembodiment, a tube (shaft or barrel) of conducting material, typicallycomprising copper, is provided and shaped such that an orthogonallyconstructed L-shaped antenna element extends and freely rotatescoaxially within the tube, shaft or barrel and may rotate towardmaterial like that deposited in the bottom inverse cone-shaped portion(Faraday cage) having a nonconductive lid. A further antenna element maybe fixed to the surface of the tube portion and permanently point in agiven direction. Magnets of like polarity and size and, in alternativeembodiments, electric coils may be positioned on each of the antennae.Moreover, in one embodiment, a coil may be positioned coaxially insidethe tube, shaft or barrel and around and associated with the rotatableantenna, but electrically isolated from, the orthogonally constructedL-shaped antenna element to detect and monitor flow of electrons on theL-shaped antenna element. Various insulating means may be used to sealthe top end of the tube so that the L-shaped antenna element is bothelectrically separated from the tube or barrel portion and is free torotate within the tube or barrel. The L-shaped antenna is supported fromthe bottom, for example, by an open bearing or nonconductive supportfixed to the interior surface of the tube or barrel. On the other hand,the second, fixed linear antenna element is electrically isolated fromthe tube or barrel and extends in the fixed direction and parallel to anextension of the L-shaped antenna element that is moveable.

The present invention is utilized in a stationary mode by placing matterunder investigation into the cone-shaped chamber or Faraday cage. Anyelectromagnetic signal it may radiate bounces around the Faraday cageand is directed toward the L-shaped antenna element. The L-shapedantenna element may move or tend to move in search of like matter, theobject of interest in the Faraday cage. The L-shaped antenna elementwill rotate or tend to rotate toward the like matter if like matter isin the vicinity. A visible read-out of pick-up coil output is displayedon, for example, an oscilloscope 825, 1675 to indicate electromagneticactivity on the L-shaped antenna element. In a mobile mode, the L-shapedantenna element may lead a user of the present invention to the vicinityof the like matter. This and other features of the present inventionwill be discussed with reference to the drawings and at least a firstthrough fourth embodiment thereof.

In further second, third and fourth embodiments, the L-shaped antennamay be fixed in parallel relation to the second fixed antenna that isattached to the barrel of the device. Electromagnetic signals receivedby a pickup coil, for example, 830A, 1624 of 28 MAG enamel or otherconductive wire wrapped one layer (or more layers) thick around anonconductive spool approximately three and one half inches in lengthand positioned coaxially inside and press fitted within the tube, shaftor barrel and having the L-shaped antenna element passing through thecenterline and passed to an oscilloscope 825 or 1675 may be used, by themagnitude, frequency, shape or RMS value of the received signal, toindicate the presence of a similar target object or material to that inthe Faraday cage and processed to determine direction. Alternatively, amagnetometer may be positioned between the L-shaped antenna element andthe fixed antenna element and in the plane defined by the L-shapedantenna element and the fixed antenna element. Monitoring the changes inmagnetic flux detected by magnetometer as displayed on the screen of acomputer may also be used to indicate the presence of a similar targetobject or material to that which may be contained in the Faraday cage.

The invention has been demonstrated with reference to an embodimentshown in perspective view in FIG. 16 having a certain object in aFaraday cage of the device and that same object is detected by theembodiment with reference to oscilloscope graphs made when a similarobject or material is removed from a separate Faraday cage versus whenthe object is allowed to remain hidden in the separate Faraday cage (noemission of any electromagnetic fields being detectable). A radiofrequency signal, for example, selected between 10 MHz and 20 MHz istransmitted by a single dipole antenna. Resultant oscilloscope graphsdiffer from 1) when the object is in the separate cage and protectedfrom electromagnetic fields and 2) when the object is released from theseparate cage and electromagnetic field waves may be detected by thedemonstration embodiment on an oscilloscope. Moreover, it is urged thatdifferent objects in the separate cage may be detected and distinguishedfrom one another when removed from the separate cage and its uniquegraph observed by the user of the device as displayed on theoscilloscope. One utility of the present device and embodiments is foruse in detecting the proximity of potentially explosive material such asgunpowder, salt peter or plastic explosives. Each of these may beseparately housed in the conical container section at the base of abarrel of the device and an oscilloscope (or magnetometer) may be usedto detect the presence in the vicinity of the explosive material, theoscilloscope being connected to at least the coil of the L-shapedantenna.

These and other features of the present detector device will beclarified and shown in the following brief description of the drawingsfollowed by a detailed description of the various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a mechanical diagram showing the structure of a firstembodiment of a device 100 for detection of matter of like kind to thatwhich may be contained in container 104 of device 100. Like referencenumerals, once introduced, such as reference numeral 104 refer to thesame or similar component wherein the first numeral 1XX represents theFigure number where the component first appears.

FIG. 2 is a mechanical diagram showing an example of an orthogonalantenna element 101 positioned within device 100 as shown in FIG. 1, theantenna preferably constructed of electrically conductive material suchas copper, aluminum, or iron, antenna 101, in one embodiment havingrounded tips as shown at each end.

FIG. 3 is a mechanical diagram of a fixed antenna element 102 positionedon the tube part 103 of the device 100 extending approximately the samelength from tube part 103 as the L-shaped antenna 101 as seen in FIG. 1and electrically isolated from the tube 103 but attached to the tube,for example, by screws or equivalent fasteners and electricallynon-conductive material shown.

FIG. 4A shows a section 103A of the tube 103 of FIG. 1. An insulatingcollar 103B allows L-shaped antenna element 101 to freely rotate as itis supported by support 103D shown in top view in FIG. 4D.

FIG. 4B shows an alternative construction of the insulating collar 103Bbottom to top view of the first medium sized embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4C shows an alternative construction of the L-shaped antennaelement support 103C bottom to top view of the second medium sizedembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a user of the invention 100 in a portable mode of operationin search of an object of interest as may be directed by the L-shapedantenna element 101.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed side view of the first embodiment of theinvention of FIG. 1 in a stationary mode showing a magnetometer affixedto a non-conducting support structure, in turn, attached to barrel 103,the magnetometer monitoring the changes in magnetic flux in the regionbetween the L-shaped antenna element and the fixed antenna element andhaving a wire/cable connection to a personal computer 600 for obtaininga read-out or display change in electromagnetic field strength.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed side view of the first embodiment having firstand second permanent magnets applied of like polarity orientation andsize to L-shaped antenna element 101 and to fixed antenna 102 for use ina further stationary mode.

FIGS. 8-15 show details of a second embodiment 800 of the presentinvention having a similar exterior appearance to the first embodimentbut additionally having small insularly protected holes 812A, 812B inthe barrel 803 for receiving electrical connectors 810A and 810B forconnection to an oscilloscope 805 having a display 820.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the inventioncomprising a detector, locator device 800 having an oscilloscope 825having a display 820 connected via small, insulated holes 812A and 812Bthrough barrel 803 to a pickup coil 830A further described in FIGS. 11and 12. (Also, please see FIG. 16 and a discussion thereof and a use ofwire leads from a pickup coil such as coil 830A to an oscilloscope.)

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 2 and shows a typical L-shaped antenna element801 for insertion in barrel 803 shown in device 800 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a further embodiment of an antenna element for connection tothe barrel 803 that may be fixed by fixing or fastening means 802B andcomprises antenna portion 802A which may be directed parallel to asimilar portion of L-shaped antenna element 801.

FIG. 11 provides a cut-away view of the interior of non-ferrousconductive barrel 803, typically copper, showing a wound pickup coil830A connected by wires through the barrel 803 to an oscilloscope 820 ofFIG. 8. An electromagnetic field at fixed frequency may be used withthis embodiment. The L-shaped antenna element 801 has a pointing portionand a portion resident coaxially within the center of the pickup coil830A and insulated at top and bottom by insulators 835B1 and 835B2. TheL-shaped antenna element may be supported by a simple bearing ornon-conductive support piece 803 to the sides of the barrel 803D.

FIG. 12 is very similar to FIG. 11 and provides a cut-away view ofbarrel 803 so that the coaxially positioned coil 830A is exposed.

FIG. 13 shows details of display 820 of oscilloscope 805 when an objectof interest of similar material construction to the object of interestin the Faraday cage 804, 805 is detected and pointed to by antennaeelements 801, 802.

FIG. 14 shows details of enhancing an electromagnetic field of antennae801, 802 by using permanent magnets 810A, 810B of similar size, polarityorientation and strength attached to the antennae elements 801 and 802respectively.

FIG. 15 shows a typical portable mode use of device 800 for detecting,locating an object of interest.

FIGS. 16-21 show details of a demonstration embodiment as flows.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a demonstration embodiment 1600 ofan object detector, sensor and locator comprising a moveable antenna1610, a cap portion 1605 to a barrel portion 1625, a stationary antennaportion 1630 comprising a holder 1633, a detector coil section 1632 withleads to an oscilloscope 1675, and a container cone section 1640 locatedat the bottom of the barrel section 1625 for receiving a certain objectto be detected. Also shown, is a signal generator 1650 and dipoleantenna 1645 for generating an electromagnetic field signal ofparticular selected frequency and transmitting the signal via an antenna1645 for reception by coils of the embodiment and by the material ofinterest.

FIG. 17 shows the cap portion 1605 having insulation and turn section(unnumbered) for permitting the moving antenna portion 1610 to move andpoint in any direction without passing electromagnetic signals to thebarrel 1625.

FIG. 18 shows the barrel portion 1625 which is connected to thecontainer cone section 1640 which may receive via coil 1624 of antenna1610 any electromagnetic signals generated by leaked to antenna 1645 oremitted by a certain object in the container cone section at one end andany signals received by moveable antenna section 1610 at the otherpointing both toward the object in the cone section 1640 and toward thesame certain object when released from a separate Faraday cage (notshown).

FIG. 19 shows the moveable antenna section 1610 in some detail with coil1624 and leads 1620-1 and 1620-2 to be graphically shown on oscilloscope1675.

FIG. 20 shows details of fixed antenna arm 1630 showing coil portion1635 moved from its normal position inside coil protector 1632 to theright, an arrow shows the direction of replacing coil portion to theinside of coil protector 1632.

FIG. 21 shows the output of an oscilloscope 1675 as displayed frominputs from coils 1624 and 1632 when a certain object identical to anobject contained in the container cone section 1640 is not in thevicinity of the apparatus of FIG. 16 but may be contained in a separateFaraday cage. One output 2110 represents the single frequency generatedby signal generator 1650 (no pick-up of any signal emitted by an objectof interest) and the center graph shows a waveform generated by theobject of interest when released from a separate Faraday cage.

Now the detector, locator devices 100, 800, 1600 for detecting/locatingan object of interest will be further described in the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7of a first embodiment and FIGS. 8-15 of a second embodiment and FIGS.16-21 of a third embodiment of a detector/locator device for detectingand locating an object of interest. A third embodiment having fixedantennae elements will also be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-21and this demonstrated embodiment discussed with reference to FIGS.16-21. In particular, the present invention is directed to devices,systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating thedetection, sensing the presence of, storing representativeelectromagnetic field signals detected thereby and locating and exposingof objects of interest placed within a conical shaped section of thedetector/locator device functioning as a Faraday cage and comprising atleast one L-shaped antenna element to allow for the collection ofelectromagnetic spectra from the object of interest and a like object ofinterest (not hidden in a Faraday cage) and comparison of such spectrato objects located within a geographic area surrounding the location ofthe device whereby such objects in such geographic area may be located.

Although the figures depict prototypes of the invention designed for usewith exemplary objects of interest, the invention is not limited tothese embodiments. The present invention also encompasses modelsdesigned for use in potentially detecting and locating other objects ofinterest but has yet not been tried for locating all potential objectsof interest. For example, the object of interest may be explosivematerial (demonstrated), a diamond or other object having a particularcrystalline structure, a plastic explosive, paper money, coins of silveror gold, materials comprising DNA such as bone, genetically linked floraand piezoelectric materials.

FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a detector/locator device of thepresent invention 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 is made up ofat least four (4) groups or assemblages of components: an upper orrotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 which is preferably L-shaped; alower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna 102; a tube, shaft or barrelportion 103, and a container portion functioning as a Faraday cage 104having an optional cover or lid 105.

In FIG. 1, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 may not befully appreciated and reference is made to FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2,L-shaped antenna element 101 consists of a section of heavy gauge wireor rod that may contain both ferrous material and electricallyconductive material such as iron, aluminum and copper in variousproportions (for example, from three to twenty inches in length persection and from fine gauge to very thick gauge wire, for example, from18 gauge to 12 gauge. Thus, the rod or wire of antenna element 101 iscapable of allowing flow of electrons that may result from changes inelectrical and magnetic fields. L-shaped antenna element 101 isfabricated to form a 90-degree angle creating horizontal and verticalsections, the horizontal portion for pointing and the vertical sectionbeing mounted coaxially, contained and electrically insulated withinbarrel 103, which comprise L-shaped antenna 101 for picking up anysignal generated by an object of interest in a container 104. Thevertical section of L-shaped antenna element 101 may thus be suspendedinside the shaft or barrel 103 of the device 100. The horizontal sectionof L-shaped antenna element 101 may protrude horizontally outward fromthe top of the shaft or barrel 103 of the device 100 and rotate or befixed in relation to antenna 102. The horizontal section of L-shapedantenna element 101 may be free to rotate in a horizontal plane inresponse to electromagnetic dynamic and static field forces, thosestimuli being either generated or naturally occurring and simplyencountered within a geographic area of device 100. Both end surfaces ofL-shaped antenna 101 may be rounded (have rounded tips) to both reducefrictional resistance to rotation and to eliminate sharp points that maytend to modify surface charge density.

A lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna element 102 may not be fullyappreciated with reference to FIG. 1 and reference is made to FIG. 3.Lower antenna element 102 consists of a section of wire or rod havingthe same gauge, chemical makeup, electrical conductivity, and magnetic(or electrical) field properties as that used in fabrication of L-shapedantenna element 101. Lower antenna element 102 extends horizontally froma point proximate to the shaft or barrel 103 and is positioned directlybelow and parallel to the plane in which the horizontal section ofL-shaped antenna 101 may be fixed or free to rotate. Both L-shapedantenna 101 and lower, stationary antenna 102 extend horizontallyequidistantly as measured from the centerline of the tube, shaft orbarrel portion 103 (see FIG. 1) of first embodiment 100. The end offixed, lower antenna 102 closest to the shaft or barrel 103 may bepressed into a hole drilled into a structural element fabricated from amaterial with good electrical insulation properties in one embodiment.That structural element may slide over and fit around and be affixed tobarrel 103 by setscrews, by use of an adhesive, or by simply pressfitting or other fixing means known in the art. The end of lower antenna12 farthest from barrel 103 may be preferably rounded, for example, tominimize the effects of surface charge density variations.

The tube, shaft or barrel portion 103 may not be seen as well in FIG. 1as in FIG. 4A. Barrel section 103 of device 100 consists of a section ofnon-ferrous pipe or tube 103A, typically comprised of copper or otherconductive material. In operation, the orientation of this tube, shaftor barrel 103 is approximately vertical having a container 104 having alid 105 forming a Faraday cage at the bottom (for receipt of a sampleobject of interest). The top end of the shaft or barrel 103 may beenclosed with a cap 103B fabricated from a polymeric material with goodelectrical insulation properties to isolate the barrel 103 from theL-shaped antenna 101. The uppermost surface of the cap may be drilled toaccommodate insertion of the L-shaped antenna 101 vertical portion:permitting the upper or rotating horizontal conductor/rod/antennaportion of antenna 101 to rotate (in this embodiment). Alternatively, asseen in FIG. 4B, the hole drilled in cap 103B can be outfitted with asleeve of nylon, Teflon, or other material with good electricalinsulation properties to create a topmost bearing to position andsupport L-shaped antenna 101, the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna portion while minimizing the frictional resistanceto rotation of L-shaped antenna 101.

The tube, barrel or shaft 103 is typically outfitted with two bearingunits 103C positioned inside the pipe or tube as shown in FIG. 4A. Thebody of the bearing units 103C is fabricated from a material such asnylon, Teflon, or PVC that has good electrical insulation properties.This unit 103C may be prepared in at least two configurations. In thefirst, a hole of appropriate size is drilled to support and alignL-shaped antenna 101 coaxially precisely in the center of the barrel orshaft 103. Drilled appropriately, this hole also enables the supportunits 103C to act as a sleeve-type bearing to minimize resistance torotation of L-shaped antenna 101 portion: the upper rotating (or fixed),approximately horizontal conductor or wire portion of 101. In the secondconfiguration as seen in FIG. 4C, an oversized hole is drilled along thecenterline of the alternative bearing body 103C. A countersink at thetop of body 103C may accommodate the flange of a roller bearing unit sothat the L-shaped antenna 101 rotates more freely. Thus, the upper orrotating L-shaped conductor/rod/antenna 101 can be supported and alignedcoaxially along the vertical centerline of the shaft or barrel 103 byusing precision roller bearings that also provide minimal resistance torotation.

To fix the vertical position of the upper or rotating L-shapedconductor/rod/antenna 101 within the shaft or barrel 103, twoconfigurations have been implemented. In the instance wherein rollerbearing units are used, the vertical portion of the vertical shaftportion of L-shaped antenna 101 is simply press-fit into the two rollerbearing units 103C at specified positions along the vertical shaftportion of antenna 101. When these flanged roller bearing units affixedto L-shaped antenna 101 are then placed in the respective bearing bodies103C within the barrel or shaft 103, the position of L-shaped antenna101 relative to the barrel or shaft 103 is assured. When the bearingbodies 103C are configured to act as sleeve bearings for aligning andpositioning L-shaped antenna 101, the rounded lower end of the verticalportion of antenna element 101 rests on a platform 103D installed nearthe lower end of barrel 103 and seen in top view, by way of example inFIG. 4D. This platform 103D may consist of a narrow strip of ahard-surfaced material having good electrical insulation properties suchas PVC that spans the diameter of barrel 103 and may be affixed to thesidewalls of barrel 103 with an adhesive or other bonding material knownin the art. The hard surface of the platform or support 103D combinedwith the rounded lower end of the vertical portion of L-shaped antenna101 leaves antenna 101 free to rotate with low frictional resistance andto point to the object of interest in the cage 104. Further, theplatform or support 103D provides direct open-air access to that segmentof the vertical portion of L-shaped antenna 101 that extends below thelower bearing body 103C for collection of any emitted electromagneticfield from the object of interest in Faraday cage 104, 105.

Referring to the Faraday cage 104, 105 of FIG. 1, cage 104, 105 isintended to contain an object of interest and preclude entry into theFaraday cage by any extraneous electromagnetic fields. Faradaycage/container 104, 105 is fabricated for example, from molded copper,copper plate, copper sheet, copper mesh, or copper fabric into a shapeso as to function as a Faraday cage capable of isolating a specimen orsample from electric fields, both those naturally occurring and thosethat may be induced outside the cage 104, 105. The Faraday cage 104, 105attaches electromagnetically to the open bottom of the shaft or barrel103. This Faraday cage 104 is fabricated in a range of lengths anddiameters, for example, as a cone with the smallest diameter being thatof the shaft or barrel 103. The bottom of the Faraday cage 105 is eitherleft open or is enclosed with a fitted lid 105 and may be crafted of alightweight polymeric material. The top of the Faraday cage 104 is opento the shaft or barrel 103 and the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 101 located inside barrel 103. An object ofinterest may be suspended in the cage 104 or be affixed to the sides. Itis theorized that electromagnetic radiation emitted by an object underinvestigation may be collected by antenna 101 having electromagneticwaves that have been carried by or reflected from interior walls of theFaraday cage to the antenna element 101.

Operation of the Device as Described

A. In-Motion (Portable) Operation in the Hands of an Operator.

Operation while walking with the device 100 to detect, sense thepresence of and to locate a target Item, object, or substance ofinterest will now be described, for example, with reference to FIG. 5. Asample of an item, substance, or material being sought, or a samplecontaining a significant component of the makeup of the item, sample, ormaterial being sought is placed in the Faraday cage 104 as an object ofinterest reference for the device 100. That sample is retained in theFaraday cage 104 during device 100 operation by placing the lid 105 ontothe open bottom side of the Faraday cage 104, with the object ofinterest contained within the Faraday cage 104. Similarly, the samplemay be suspended inside the Faraday cage 104 with adhesive tape or othersimilar means of fastening common in the art, thus eliminating thenecessity of using the lid 105. The item (not shown) must extend farenough up into the Faraday cage 104 so as to be surrounded on all sidesby the cage 104 and the cage reflect or carry any emission ofelectromagnetic radiation therefrom without external noise leaking intothe cage 104 or sample.

The device 100 may be supported in the palm of the hand of a user withthe fingers wrapped around the shaft or barrel 103 as indicated in FIG.5. The shaft or barrel 103 of the device 100 may be held near the torsoof the body with barrel 103 oriented in a near vertical position andwith the lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna 102 pointing directlyahead along the proposed path of travel of the user.

The operator thus holding the device 100 then may walk at a normal pace,being careful to keep the device 100 properly oriented as per FIG. 5during travel. As the operator nears the target item, sample, ormaterial, likewise found in the Faraday cage 104, the horizontal portionof the L-shaped upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 may indicatedetection, sensing the presence of and location of an object of interestby rotating, as viewed from above, either clockwise (to the right) ifthe target is situated to the right of the path of traverse of theoperator or counter-clockwise (to the left) if the target is situated tothe left of the path of traverse of the operator. Alternative, infurther embodiments, a signature electromagnetic field may be detectedand assist in pointing to an object of interest in the environment ofthe search. Based upon the movements of the upper, horizontal orrotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 or recorded measurements and resultsof their analysis, the operator can adjust the path of travel asnecessary to zero-in on the target item, sample, or material. As theoperator moves over and passes the target item, sample, or material in ageographic area of the device 101, the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 101 may swing around toward the operator; that is,the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 may rotate 180 degreesfrom its normal “straight ahead” position when passing the location ofthe object of interest (similar to the object in the cage 101).

Three Operational Modes

Normal Searching Mode.

This mode is used when the location of the object being sought isabsolutely unknown. Referring to FIG. 5, a sample of the targetobject(s) is placed in the Faraday cage 104 and covered by cover 105.The operator may hold the device 100 in either hand as described abovewith the lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna 102 pointing away fromthe operator's body and in the direction of travel; (see FIG. 5).Comfort in operation dictates that the device be held to the left orright of the operator's midline for left-hand and right-hand operation,respectively. The forearm should be approximately parallel to theground, meaning the device should be situated in front of the operatortorso, for example, at about stomach level. The device is tiltedslightly forward away from vertical so that gravity compels the upper orrotating conductor/rod/antenna portion of L-shaped antenna 101 to alignwith fixed lower antenna 102 which may be pointed directly away from theoperator's body. The horizontal upper or rotating portion of L-shapedconductor/rod/antenna 101 will naturally sway back and forth slightly asthe operator walks. As a potential target is approached, the upper orrotating conductor/rod/antenna portion of L-shaped antenna 101 will lockon, begin rotating toward the target, and thus track the target ormagnetometer or oscilloscope displays may be analyzed to detect thepresence of the object of interest and its direction. The operatorshould continue walking in the antenna chosen direction of travel untilthe rod rotates 90 degrees from its original position directly in linewith the path of travel. Note that the target object thus detectedcould, at this point, be several hundred yards away from the searcher,depending upon conditions. The upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna101 now having rotated, for example, 90 degrees, the operator shouldchange directions and walk toward the indicated target area. Finding thespecific location of the target could be aided by triangulation ortri-lateration, that is, pinpointing the target location by approachingit from several directions. When the target area has been identified,the operator should walk directly toward the target (and look for anincrease in electromagnetic field strength of a displayed waveform. Asthe operator walks over and past the target area, the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 101 will tend to rotate 180 degrees, thus pointingtoward the operator's body. The operator should stop walking forward atthis point and move backwards until the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 101 rotates back to facing directly away from theoperator. The area between these two points becomes the target area fortarget object search.

Although not producing results of the same level of accuracy, tests haveshown that the operator does not have to be walking with the device 100to locate targets if the target or targets are situated nearby. Afterthe target sample has been placed in the Faraday cage chamber 104, 105for a period of several seconds, the device 100 should be held in normalsearching mode, that is, in front of the body with fixed antenna 102pointing directly forward and away from the body of the operator.L-shaped antenna 101 will lock on and point in the general direction ofthe target, providing a general idea of location. As much as 30 secondsmay be required for the motion of L-shaped antenna 101 to stabilize.Antenna 101 swinging back and forth indicates that the device 101 issearching, but that the target is not located. If antenna 101 beginsrotating, the target (for example, an area of gold such as a gold vein)is indicated as being situated at multiple locations around theoperator. Similarly, a signature electromagnetic field waveform maydiffer in intensity as an object is approached or moved away from.

Searching to the Right Side of the Forward Walking Operator

The device is held as discussed above per FIG. 5 except the device 100is now oriented so that fixed antenna 102 may point 90 degrees to theright of the operator path of travel. In this mode, only the area to theright of the operator path of travel will be searched; any potentialtargets on the left will be disregarded. This search mode is appropriatewhere multiple instances of targets substance may be scattered about, orif one wants to limit the search to a specific arc. If multiple targetsexist to the right of the operator, the device 100 will behavepreferentially and tend to lock on the strongest electromagnetic signal.If there are multiple targets to be located to the right side of theoperator, the procedure will be repeated keeping in mind the location(s)of targets already located.

Searching to the Left Side of the Forward Walking Operator

The same procedure as described in above may be followed except that thedevice 100 is held so that fixed antenna 102 points 90 degree to theleft of path of operator path of travel.

Handheld Operation from a Transporter to Locate Target Item, Object, orSubstance

Use in a vehicle, for example, will now be described. A sample of theitem, substance, or material being sought, or a sample containing asignificant component of the makeup of the item, sample, or materialbeing sought is placed in the Faraday cage 104 as reference for thedevice 100. That sample is retained in the Faraday cage 104 by cover 105during device operation by placing the lid 105 onto the open bottom sideof the Faraday cage 104 with the object under investigation in thecage/container 104, 105.

The device 100 may be supported in the palm of the hand with the fingerswrapped around the shaft or barrel 103 as indicated in FIG. 5 (but withthe operator in a transporter). The shaft or barrel 103 of the device100 is held near the torso of the body with barrel 103 oriented in anear vertical position and with the lower, stationaryconductor/rod/antenna 102 pointing directly ahead along the proposedpath of travel of the transporter.

The operator may be standing or seated as is appropriate for thetransporter. In either instance, the device is to be maintained in closeproximity to, but not touching, the torso of the operator. Thetransporter carrying the operator then proceeds to translate along thechosen path.

As the transporter moves along, the operator must be diligent to keepthe device 100 properly oriented and up right. As the transportercarrying the operator nears the target item, sample, or material, theupper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 will indicate detection byrotating either clockwise (to the right) if the target is situated tothe right of the path of traverse of the operator or counter-clockwise(to the left) if the target is situated to the left of the path oftraverse of the operator. Based upon the movements of L-shaped rotatingantenna 101, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna, the travelpath of the transporter is then adjusted as necessary to zero-in on thetarget item, sample, or material.

Stationary (Fixed) Operation with No Hands-on Operator

Operation as a stationary device for detecting, approaching, passing, orproximate moving a target item, substance, or material similar to thatcontained in cage 104 will now be discussed. The device is affixed in arigid holder 104, 105 (for example, by mounting on a platform) asindicated in FIG. 6 with the shaft or barrel 103 oriented vertically andthe open end of the Faraday cage 104 and lid 105 downward. A three-axismagnetometer 620 may be positioned midway along the vertical distancebetween the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 and the lower,stationary conductor/rod/antenna 102. The horizontal position of themagnetometer 620 may be positioned midway between the centerline of theshaft or barrel 103 and the free ends of the antenna 102. Themagnetometer 620 is connected via a wiring harness to a programmablecontroller board, which in turn is connected to a laptop computer. Thelaptop computer 600 and controller board may serve both to power themagnetometer system and to record and display magnetometer measurementsfor the three axes, these measurements collected and displayed, forexample, at one-second intervals on a display of computer 600 (thewaveform being indicative of direction and proximity by signalmagnitude. The data for the three axes (x, y and z) are converted to asingle value by finding the magnitude of the vector sum of the threecomponents. This approach provides a digital output stream allowing easyvisual identification of when the vector sum changes substantially, thusindicating detection, presence, direction of a similar object ofinterest.

A sample of the item, substance, or material being sought, or a samplecontaining a significant component of the makeup of the item, sample, ormaterial being sought is placed in the Faraday cage 104 (container 104,105) as reference for the device 100. That sample is retained in theFaraday cage 104 during device operation by placing the lid 105 onto theopen bottom side of the Faraday cage 104. A moving target item,substance, or material that approaches, passes, moves proximate to thedevice will now be detected by L-shaped antenna 101 with device 100being stationary.

Operation as a stationary device 100 in a moving transporter fordetecting or locating either a stationary or moving target item,substance, or material will now be discussed. As described above, astationary installation of the device 100 can be made in a transporter(or vehicle). The transporter then can carry the sensing device 100along paths or to areas of interest in searching for items, objects,substances, and materials of interest (contained in cage 104). If adevice operator is aboard the transporter carrying the installed,upright device 100 carrying an object under investigation, datamonitoring is generally the same as described above for stationaryoperation. If the operator cannot be onboard the transporter, as with anunmanned aerial vehicle (drone), data monitoring and assessment can beperformed remotely.

Results, Findings, and Observations:

Various assertions about the first embodiment of the invention, device 1are now made.

Assertion 1.

The device 100 may detect, sense the presence of, and locate items,objects, or packages comprised of or containing a specified material ofsubstance characterized as having a crystalline lattice structure,including, but not limited to those that are piezoelectric.

Assertion 2.

When a given formulation of a material is a mixture made up of two ormore materials, the device can be used to detect, sense the presence of,and locate a component of that material, for example, provided that acomponent of the mixture is characterized as having a crystallinelattice structure. For example, propellants used in modern ammunitionvary widely. However, a common component of most ammunition propellantis potassium nitrate (KNO₃). Thus, potassium nitrate may be used as thesample contained in cage 104 in searching for or seeking to detect, forexample, ammunition propellant.

Assertion 3.

Each material characterized as having a crystalline lattice structureemits, gives off, and produces a unique electromagnetic signature underprinciples of quantum theory. That means that the reference sample inthe Faraday cage 104, 105 of the device 100 and the material beingsought produce identical or near-identical electromagnetic fieldsignatures.

Assertion 4:

The device 100 can detect, sense the presence of, and locatepiezoelectric materials without having a sample of subject material inthe Faraday cage 104. For example, bone is piezoelectric; thus, thedevice may react to the presence of bone with the Faraday cage 104 emptyand open.

Assertion 5.

When the device is carried or held by an operator during hand-heldoperation, the body of the operator, when in close proximity the device100, may enhance electromagnetic field stimulation of the object or itemin the Faraday cage 104, thus stimulating the production of thatmaterial's unique signature.

Use of Fixed Magnetic Field During Device Operation

While the use of magnets or coils may not be required to make the device100 functional, detection capabilities of the device can be enhancedwhen a small rare earth magnet, for example, magnet 620 is positioned onboth the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 and the lower,stationary conductor/rod/antenna 102 as magnets 710A and 710B as shownin FIG. 7. Tests revealed that best performance was achieved when thetwo magnets 710A, 710B were aligned with each other, sized similarly,vertically located and positioned near the ends of both the L-shapedantenna element and the fixed antenna element distal to the centerlineof the shaft or barrel 103. When using magnets 710A and 710B, thosemagnets should be oriented so that the magnetic field enhanced by theirpresence extends outward from antennae 101 and 102 in the same manner.For example, if the north pole of the magnet on the L-shaped antennaelement is facing upward, the same should be true of the magnet placedon the fixed antenna element below.

Also, it is important to note that if magnets 710A and 710B are used asdescribed above, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 101 can befabricated from a non-ferrous material, such as aluminum. In fact, ifL-shaped antenna 101 is fabricated from non-ferrous material, magnets710A and 710B employed as indicated above may be required for the device100 to function properly.

Examples of Objects, Substances, and Materials Actually Detected orLocated in Tests of the Device

The following are examples of objects under investigation that have beensuccessfully detected, sensed and located by device 100 operated asdescribed above: human and animal bone; human DNA; genetically linkedflora; gun powder, propellants, and explosives; pharmaceuticals andnarcotics (e.g., methamphetamine, OxyContin, Xanax); U. S. currency andother special paper and coins; precious, semi-precious, and rare earthmetals; precious and semi-precious jewels; and piezoelectric materials.

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8-15. As shown in FIG. 8, a second embodiment of thepresent invention, detector/locator device 800, may comprise up to fiveor more groups or assemblages of components: an L-shaped upper orrotating conductor/rod/antenna element 801; a lower, stationaryconductor/rod/antenna element 802; a tube, shaft or barrel 803; aFaraday sample container cage 804 and lid 805; and a signal processingand display unit, for example, an oscilloscope 825. There may be anoptional external stimulating electromagnetic field comprising, forexample, a source of very low frequency current of less than one Hz to60 Hz, preferably 7 Hz to 8 Hz (near a Schumann resonance frequency) ora high frequency electromagnetic field of fixed frequency. This externalsource (not shown) may comprise an external loop coil located coaxiallywith the device (or a simple dipole antenna or other signalgenerator/antenna). In one embodiment, the external loop may be pulsednear a Schumann resonance frequency at about 7 or 8 pulses per second.The external loop coil may also be located elsewhere proximate to thedevice. Also, as will be discussed herein, a magnetic field source orsources such as a permanent magnet or source of magnetic field may beprovided.

A detector, sensor and locator device 800 may comprise an L-shaped upperor rotating conductor/rod/antenna element 801 which will now bediscussed with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. L-shaped antenna 801 mayconsist of a section of a heavy gauge wire or rod that contains ferrousmaterial and is conductive of electricity and magnetism, for example,and be of three inches to twenty inches in length per horizontal andvertical sections and 18 gauge to 12 gauge; thus, the wire antenna 801is capable of allowing the flow of electrons in response to changes inthe electromagnetic flux. L-shaped antenna element 801 is fabricated inthe form of a 90-degree angle creating horizontal and vertical sections.The vertical section of antenna 801, mostly contained with barrel 803,and thus electrically shielded, extends along the centerline of theshaft or barrel 803 of the device 800. The horizontal section of antennaelement 801 extends horizontally outward from the top of the shaft orbarrel 803 of the device 800. The horizontal section of antenna 801 isfree to rotate in a horizontal plane in response to either or bothelectromagnetic or dynamic or static forces, those stimuli being eithergenerated or naturally occurring and simply encountered. Both endsurfaces of L-shaped antenna element 801 may be rounded to both reducefrictional resistance to rotation and to eliminate sharp points that maytend to modify the surface charge density.

The upper horizontal section of rotating L-shaped conductor/rod/antenna101 can be replaced with a multi-element unit similar in construct to aYagi directional antenna with multiple dipole antennae elements ofdifferent length, thus allowing the creation of a charged focal patternfor more direct detection or sensing. This approach is enhanced if themulti-element antenna unit is tuned to a specific dynamicelectromagnetic signal associated with the item or materials that one isseeking to detect, but such tuning is not particularly necessary.

The lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna 802 is shown in FIG. 8 andFIG. 10. Lower antenna element 802 consists of a section of rod or wire802A having the same gauge, chemical makeup, electrical conductivity,and magnetic properties as that used in L-shaped antenna 801. Antenna802 extends horizontally from a point proximate to the shaft or barrel803 and is positioned directly below and parallel to the plane in whichthe horizontal section of L-shaped antenna 101 is free to rotate. Bothantennae elements 801 and 802 extend horizontally equidistantly asmeasured from the centerline of the shaft or barrel 803. The end ofantenna 802 closest to the shaft or barrel 803 may be pressed into ahole drilled into a structural element 802B fabricated from a materialwith good electrical insulation properties or low dielectric. Thatstructural element 802B slides over and fits around and is affixed tobarrel 803, for example, by setscrews, by use of an adhesive, or bysimply press fitting or using other fixing means. The end of antenna 802farthest from barrel 803 is rounded to minimize the effects of surfacecharge density variations.

The shaft or barrel interior is seen in FIG. 11 and shown in cut-away inFIG. 12. Barrel 803 consists of a section of non-ferrous pipe or tube803, typically comprised of copper. In operation, the orientation ofthis shaft or barrel 803 is approximately vertical as seen in FIG. 8 andits coiled section points toward the container (not shown). The top endof the shaft or barrel 803 is enclosed with a cap 803B fabricated from apolymeric material that has good electrical insulation properties or lowdielectric. The top surface of the cap 803B may be drilled toaccommodate insertion of the vertical portion of L-shaped antennaelement 801, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 best seenin FIG. 9. Alternatively, as described previously, a hole drilled in cap803B can be outfitted with a sleeve of nylon, Teflon, or otherstructural material with good electrical insulation properties to createa topmost bearing to position and support the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna portion of L-shaped antenna 801 while minimizingthe frictional resistance to rotation of antenna 801.

The shaft or barrel 803 is outfitted with components illustrated in FIG.11 and FIG. 12. A pickup or receiver coil 830A (for example, ofconductive 28 MAG enamel coated copper wire one layer thick) may befabricated, for example, by employing a single layer of such small gaugecoated copper wire wound on a spool fabricated of polymeric materialswith good electrical insulation properties. For example, the coil 830Ais placed coaxially in the shaft or barrel 803 wound on a thin-walledcylindrical polymeric tube that may be, for example, three and one halfinches in length. Ends of the spool may be machined to a diameter thatallows the coil spool to slide coaxially into the shaft or barrel 103creating a light press fit. If necessary, the coil 830A and spool may becaused to adhere to the sides of the barrel 803 using adhesive or otherbonding material.

Two circular disks 835B1 and 835B2 may be cut from polymeric materialwith good electrical insulation properties such as nylon, Teflon, orPVC. These may be machined to a diameter that slides into the shaft orbarrel 103 to create a snug press fit or adhesive may be used toposition the disks 835B1 and 835B2 within barrel 803. A hole may bebored through the center of the circular planar surface of each disk forreceiving the vertical portion of L-shaped antenna 801 so that L-shapedantenna element 801, pick-up coil 830A, and shaft or barrel 803 areconfigured in a coaxial arrangement. Pick-up coil 830A may compriseseveral hundred turns of fine gauge wire and be between three and fiveinches long, preferably, for example three and one half inches long.These disc holes may be slightly greater than the diameter of thevertical portion of the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801.Thus, the holes kept aligned along the centerline of the shaft or barrel803 serve as a sleeve bearing allowing antenna 801 to rotate withminimal frictional resistance.

To fix the vertical position of the vertical portion of antenna 801, asmay be desired, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 withinthe shaft or barrel 803, the rounded lower end of the vertical portionof the vertical portion of antenna 801 may rest and be supported on aplatform 803D installed near the lower end of barrel 803 proximate andpointing to the cage 804. This platform 803D may consist of a narrowstrip of hard-surfaced, structural material with good electricalinsulation properties such as PVC, spans the diameter of barrel 803, andmay be affixed to the sidewalls of barrel 803 with adhesive or otherbonding material. The hard surface of the platform 803D combined withthe rounded lower end of the vertical portion of antenna 801 leavesantenna 801 free to rotate with little frictional resistance. Further,the platform 803D provides direct open-air access to that segment of thevertical portion of antenna 801 that extends below the lower bearingbody 803D.

The Faraday cage 804 may be seen in FIG. 8 having a cap 805 which mayform a container for an object of interest. Cage 804 may be fabricatedfrom molded copper, copper plate, copper sheet, copper mesh, or copperfabric into a shape so as to function as a Faraday cage capable ofisolating a specimen or sample from external electromagnetic fields,both those naturally occurring and those that may be induced. TheFaraday cage 804 attaches to the bottom of the shaft or barrel 804 andchannels electromagnetic field radiation from a body of interest up tothe antenna element 801 in barrel 803. This Faraday cage 804 may befabricated in a range of lengths and diameters with the smallestdiameter being equal to that of the shaft or barrel 803. A lid 805appropriate to the geometry of the open end of cage 804 is crafted of alightweight polymeric material to enclose the bottom side of the Faradaycage 804.

The two ends of the coil winding wire 830A (in FIG. 11) are affixed toconnector pins 812C1 and 812C2 installed at the two points near to topof the shaft or barrel 803 as indicated in FIG. 12 and holes 812A and812B on FIG. 8. Both the connector pins and the coil wire leads areelectrically isolated from the shaft or barrel 803 so as to conduct tothe oscilloscope 825 for viewing its output signal and processing itsproperties. Leads 810A and 810B extending from the two connector pins onor in the shaft or barrel 803 connect the sensor consisting of groups orassemblies 802, 802, 803, and 804 (FIG. 8) to include lid 805 if used tothe signal processing and display unit 825, most conveniently, anoscilloscope. The signal processing and display unit 825 monitors andrecords electrical output of the coil 830A contained in the shaft orbarrel 803 in relation to the antennae 801 and 802. For initial testingand operations, the signal processing and display unit 825 was alaboratory oscilloscope set as seen in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown an oscilloscope 825. The presenceof gunpowder is detected and indicated by the waveform to the right ofthe steady state wave form at the left when gunpowder is brought intoproximity of the antenna that may be stationary or the upper antennaelement 101, 801 mobile and pointing generally toward it. Signalmagnitude increases as the antenna is pointed toward a like object ofinterest (direction) and proximity (distance).

Alternatively, the coil 830A described above can be replaced by anothercoil of similar design and configuration but repositioned so as tosurround the specimen or sample in the Faraday cage 104 and may be tunedto a desired frequency. Again, the broader the signature electromagneticfield spectrum, the more likely an object of interest may be uniquelydetected and located.

Operation of the Device

Operation in a stationary, fixed position mode enables sensing anddetection of target items, objects, or packages as those items, objects,or packages are moved, carried, conveyed, or transported to a positionnear the sensor device 800.

Stationary (Fixed) Operation with No Hands-on Operator

Operation as a stationary device for detecting an approaching, passing,or proximate moving target item, substance, or material will now bediscussed. The device 801 may be affixed in a rigid holder with theshaft or barrel 803 oriented vertically and the open end of the Faradaycage 804 facing downward. Best results may be achieved when the device800 is affixed at an elevation above that of the target, but having thedevice 800 at an elevation above the level of the target is notmandatory. For example, if the device 800 is to be used to determine ifindividuals walking along a prescribed path may be carrying a particulartarget item, substance, or material, the device should ideally bepositioned overhead of the approaching and passing foot traffic.Likewise, overhead positioning is preferred if screening cars, trucks,boats, and other transport modes for the presence of a target item,substance, or material. The same applies to screening passing luggage,containers, and packages at a border or airport.

In operating position, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801may be resting in equilibrium directly above the lower, stationaryconductor/rod/antenna 802. The signal processing and display unit 825can be an incorporated component of the device 800 or it can beconnected to the pins on the shaft or barrel 803 with extended wireleads to allow remote monitoring. A sample of the item, substance, ormaterial being sought, or a sample containing a significant component ofthe makeup of the item, sample, or material being sought is placed inthe Faraday cage 804 as a reference for the device 800 and its inherentelectromagnetic radiation signature captured by antenna 801. That sampleis retained in the Faraday cage 804 during device operation by placingthe lid 805 onto the open bottom side of the Faraday cage 804 or bysuspending or securing the sample between the walls of the Faraday cage804 using a material with good electrical insulation properties.

A target item, substance, or material that approaches, passes, or movesproximate to the device 800 will now be detected by the oscilloscope 825set to receive electromagnetic signals from the coil 830A. FIG. 13 showsa typical trigger response appearing on oscilloscope 825, the signalprocessing and display unit, immediately after the device 800 detectsthe presence of the target substance by, for example, processing thereceived and displayed electromagnetic field signal.

In alternative operation, the unique electromagnetic field signatureassociated with the target item, substance, or material can beelectronically projected into the Faraday cage 804 to modulate the upperor rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 and be detected by coil 830A.

Operation as a stationary device in a moving transporter will now bedescribed for detecting, sensing and/or locating either a stationary ormoving target item, substance, or material. As described above, astationary installation of the device 800 can be made in a transportersuch as a moving vehicle. The transporter then can carry the sensingdevice 800 along paths or to areas of interest in searching for items,objects, substances, and materials of interest. If a device operator isaboard the transporter carrying the installed device 800, datamonitoring is generally the same as described above for stationaryoperation. If the operator cannot be onboard, as with an unmanned aerialvehicle (or drone), data monitoring and assessment can be performedremotely.

In-motion (portable) operation in the hands of an operator (without theelectronic readout device) will now be discussed briefly, for example,operation while walking to locate a target item, object, or substancewill be discussed with reference to FIG. 15. A sample of the item,substance, or material being sought, or a sample containing asignificant component of the makeup of the item, sample, or materialbeing sought is placed in the Faraday cage 804 as reference for thedevice 800 carried by the operator as shown. That sample is retained inthe Faraday cage 804 during device 800 operation by placing the lid 805onto the open bottom side of the Faraday cage 804 or by suspending orsecuring the sample between the walls of the Faraday cage 804 with amaterial that has good electrical insulation properties.

The device 800 may be conveniently supported in the palm of the handwith the fingers wrapped around the shaft or barrel 803 as indicated inFIG. 15. The shaft or barrel 803 of the device 800 is held near thetorso of the body with barrel 803 oriented in a near vertical positionand with the lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna 802 pointingdirectly ahead along the proposed path of travel.

The operator thus holding the device 800 then walks at a normal pace,being careful to keep the device properly oriented during travel. As theoperator nears the target item, sample, or material, the upper orrotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 will indicate detection by rotatingeither clockwise (to the right) if the target is situated to the rightof the path of traverse of the operator or counter-clockwise (to theleft) if the target is situated to the left of the path of traverse ofthe operator. Based upon the movements of the horizontal portion of theL-shaped upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna element 801, theoperator can adjust the path of travel as necessary to zero-in on thetarget item, sample, or material. As the operator moves over and passesthe target item, sample, or material, the upper or rotating horizontalconductor/rod/antenna 801 will swing around toward the operator; thatis, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 will rotate 180degrees from its normal “straight ahead” position when the target objectis passed. The operator then backs up, as before, and locates the targetobject so that the antenna 801 points toward it.

Handheld operation from a transporter to locate a target item, object,or substance on the move or stationary will now be described. A sampleof the item, substance, or material being sought, or a sample containinga significant component of the makeup of the item, sample, or materialbeing sought is placed in the Faraday cage 104 as before as referencefor the device 800. That sample is retained in the Faraday cage 804during device operation by placing the lid 805 onto the open bottom sideof the Faraday cage 804 or by suspending or securing the sample betweenthe walls of the Faraday cage 804 with a material that has goodelectrical insulation properties.

The device 800 may be supported in the palm of the hand with the fingerswrapped around the shaft or barrel 803 as indicated in FIG. 15. Theshaft or barrel 803 of the device 800 may be held near the torso of thebody with the barrel 803 oriented in a near vertical position and withfixed antenna 802, the lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna, pointingdirectly ahead along the proposed path of travel.

The operator may be standing or seated as is appropriate for thetransporter. In either instance, the device 800 is to be maintained inclose proximity to, but not touching, the torso of the operator. Thetransporter carrying the operator then proceeds to translate along thechosen path and keep an eye on the antenna 801 and the reaction ofoscilloscope 825 if used.

As the transporter moves along, the operator must be diligent to keepthe device 800 properly oriented during travel. As the transportercarrying the operator nears the target item, sample, or material, theupper, horizontal or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 and the reactionof an oscilloscope 825 if used will indicate detection by rotatingeither clockwise (to the right) if the target is situated to the rightof the path of traverse of the operator or counter-clockwise (to theleft) if the target is situated to the left of the path of traverse ofthe operator. Based upon the movements of the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 801, the travel path of the transporter is thenadjusted as necessary to zero-in on the target item, sample, ormaterial. As the operator moves over and passes the target item, sample,or material, the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna 801 may swingaround toward the operator, that is, the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 801 may rotate 180 degrees from its normal“straight ahead” position. If so, the operator should move backwards inthe transporter to recover direction of the target item.

In-motion (portable) operation of the device 800 equipped withelectronic readout 825 will now be described in further detail.Operation while walking or riding to locate a target item, object, orsubstance will now be described using oscilloscope 825. Operation inthis mode is executed as in above, except that the instrument 825 ismonitored electronically. In particular, the portable electronic monitor825 also carried by the person operating the detection device 800displays or may record in processor memory response of the coil 830Aembedded in the shaft or barrel 803 to the object in the cage 804 withreference to the target object within a geographic area approached by atransporter.

Alternatively, the electronic monitor 825 described above can bereplaced by any electronic device that provides an indication or alertto the operator; and the coil 830A can be replaced by any device thatthat identifies or detects the unique frequency signature component ofthe item, substance, or material in the Faraday cage 804 or itselectronic simulant.

Handheld operation from a transporter to locate a target item, object,or substance is similar to that described above. Operation in this modeis the same as above except that both operator and device are moved by atransport vehicle, thus eliminating the walking.

Alternatively, the electronic monitor, for example, oscilloscope 825,described above can be replaced by any electronic device that providesan indication or alert to the operator; and the coil 830A can bereplaced by any device that that identifies or detects the uniquefrequency signature component of the item, substance, or material in theFaraday cage 804 or its electronic simulant so long as the spectrum issufficiently wide in bandwidth to make the signature unique.

Results, Findings, and Observations

The following assertions with respect to embodiment 800 are made:

Assertion 1.

The device 800 can detect, sense the presence of, and locate items,objects, or packages comprised of or containing a specified material orsubstance characterized as having a crystalline lattice structure,including, but not limited to those that are piezoelectric.

Assertion 2.

When a given formulation of a material is a mixture made up of two ormore materials, the device 800 can be used to detect, sense the presenceof, and locate a component of that material provided that a component ofthe mixture is characterized as having a crystalline lattice structure.For example, propellants used in modern ammunition vary widely. However,a common component of most ammunition propellant is potassium nitrate(KNO₃). Thus, potassium nitrate may be used as the target material insearching for or seeking to detect ammunition propellant.

Assertion 3.

If the mixture being targeted is comprised of two or more materials,each component material thereof being characterized by a crystallinelattice structure, the device 800 will generally give preference to thecomponent material having the greatest density.

Assertion 4.

Each material characterized as having a crystalline lattice structureemits, gives off, and produces a unique electromagnetic signatureaccording to a detected electromagnetic spectrum. That means that thereference sample in the Faraday cage 804 of the device 800 and thematerial being sought produce identical or near-identicalelectromagnetic spectral signatures. The identical or near-identicalsignatures allow for material-to-material communication through thisdevice 800. Further, the unique signature of materials havingcrystalline lattice structures may be enhanced by external frequencystimulation. A preferred low frequency excitation is on the order ofless than 1 Hz to 60 Hz and preferably 7 Hz to 8 Hz (near the Schumanresonance frequency) by an external source that may be an external loopcoil proximately located and may be coaxial with the device barrel.

Assertion 5.

The device 800 can detect, sense the presence of, and locatepiezoelectric materials without having a sample of subject material inthe Faraday cage 804. For example, bone is piezoelectric; thus, thedevice will react to the presence of bone with the Faraday cage 804empty and open (no lid 805).

Assertion 6.

When the device 800 is carried or held by an operator during hand-heldoperation, the body of the operator may act as an additional antennaproviding energy to excite the sample contained in the Faraday cage 104,thus stimulating the production of the unique electromagnetic signatureassociated with subject material. The body of the operator also acts asan antenna to concentrate electromagnetic fields generated by theearth's core, thus serving to excite the sample contained in the Faradaycage 804.

Assertion 7.

The distance at which the device 800 will detect and alert on targetitem, object, or package increases as the relative velocity between thedevice 800 and the target is increased. This assertion anticipates thatthe device 800 may be moving when carried by a walking operator, be heldby an operator in a moving transporter, or be fixed within a movingtransporter. Likewise, the target may be moving if said target iscarried on the person of an individual traveling on foot or if saidtarget is transported in, on, or attached to a vehicle or an occupantthereof. Finally, the assertion anticipates that both device and targetmay be moving or that either may be stationary.

Assertion 8.

If the device 800 is positioned above the target, that is, if the deviceis elevated above the plane containing the target, the vertical distancefrom the device to the target, or the difference in elevation, haslittle affect upon the detection response and apparent strength of thesignature signal.

Assertion 9.

Sensing, detecting, and locating a target material with the device 800is based upon coordination, interaction, and/or matching of the uniqueelectromagnetic signature of the sample in the Faraday cage 804 withthat identical or near-identical electromagnetic signature or frequencyassociated with the target, the target being comprised of the samecrystalline lattice structure material as the sample. Other devicescapable of seeking out or detecting the unique electromagnetic signatureof the target material could also be used as the detector unit.

Assertion 10.

The physical and dimensional configuration of the device 800 can take onmany and various forms as long as the upper or rotatingconductor/rod/antenna 101 is inductively coupled to the electromagneticsignature generated in the Faraday cage 104 containing the targetsample.

Use of Fixed Magnetic Field During Device Operation

The device 800 has been operated with a small rare earth magnet 810A,810B positioned on each of the upper or rotating conductor/rod/antenna801 and the lower, stationary conductor/rod/antenna 802 as shown in FIG.14. Tests revealed that best performance was achieved when the twomagnets were aligned with each other vertically and positioned on eachof the upper antenna element 801 and lower antenna element 802 thedistal ends relative to the shaft or barrel 803 near the centerline ofthe shaft or barrel 103. The magnets 810A, 810B should be of similarsize, magnetic strength and orientation (N/S) to achieve results. Whilethe magnets 810A, 810B can improve detection efficiency and devicesensitivity, these magnets are not required for operation of the device800.

Examples of Objects, Substances, and Materials Actually Detected orLocated in Tests of the Device

The following are exemplary objects and materials successfully detected,sensed and located by the present device and other objects may belocated which have not been attempted yet: human and animal bone; humanDNA; genetically linked flora; gun powder, propellants, and explosives;pharmaceuticals and narcotics (e.g., methamphetamine, OxyContin, Xanax);U. S. currency and other special paper, coins; precious, semi-precious,and rare earth metals; precious and semi-precious jewels; andpiezoelectric materials among others not yet tried.

A Third Embodiment Having First and Second Antennae Fixed in ParallelRelation

A third embodiment or embodiments may have the first antennae 101, 801fixed in place so as to be parallel to the second antennae 102, 802. Inthese embodiments, the antenna 101, 801 is in fixed relation to oneanother such that they are parallel to one another. Antennae 102, 802are already fixed. Cap 103B, 803B may pinch L-shaped antennae elements101, 801 so as to fix them in place with respect to being in parallelwith first antennae 101, 801. Moreover, spacers 103C, 835B1 and 825B2may be drilled such that they firmly grasp the second L-shaped antennae101, 802. The received electromagnetic signal by one of magnetometer 620via controller 600 or oscilloscope 825 from coil 830 a help the operatorto point the device 100, 800 in the direction of a target object ormaterial by increasing magnitude of the received signal.

A Fourth Embodiment Having First and Second Antennae in ParallelRelation, Each Antenna Having its Own Coil and the Coils Receiving anElectromagnetic Field (EMF) Signal Emitted by an Antenna Connected to anEMF Signal Generator

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a demonstration embodiment 1600(fourth embodiment) of an object detector, sensor and locator comprisinga moveable antenna 1610, a cap portion 1605 to a barrel portion 1625, astationary antenna portion 1630 comprising a holder 1633, a detectorcoil section 1632 with leads to an oscilloscope 1675, and a containercone section 1640 located at the bottom of the barrel section 1625 forreceiving a certain object to be detected. Also shown, is a signalgenerator 1650 and antenna 1645 for generating an electromagnetic signaland transmitting the signal via an antenna 1645 for reception by coilsof the embodiment. The oscilloscope 1675 is connected to leads from eachof coil sections 1624 and 1632.

FIG. 17 shows the cap portion 1605 having insulation and turn section(unnumbered) for permitting the moving antenna portion 1610 to move andpoint in any direction without passing electromagnetic signals to thebarrel 1625. The insulation and turn section, as suggested above, maycomprise Teflon or other movement permitting substance or structure topermit moveable antenna 1610 to freely move while stationary antennaportion 1630 is fixed to barrel portion 1625.

FIG. 18 shows the barrel portion 1625 which is connected to thecontainer cone section 1640. The barrel portion 1625 receives via coil1624 any electromagnetic signals generated by antenna 1645 or emitted bya certain object in the container cone section 1640 at one end and anysignals received by moveable antenna section 1610 at the other.

FIG. 19 shows the moveable antenna section 1610 in some detail with coil1624 and leads 1620-1 and 1620-2 to be graphically shown on oscilloscope1675.

FIG. 20 shows details of fixed antenna arm 1630 showing coil portion1635 moved from its normal position inside coil protector 1632 to theright, an arrow shows the direction of replacing coil portion to theinside of coil protector 1632. Leads from the coil portion 1635 providean input to oscilloscope 1675.

FIG. 21 shows the output of an oscilloscope 1675 as displayed frominputs from coils 1624 and 1632 when a certain object identical to anobject contained in the container cone section 1640 is not in thevicinity of the apparatus of FIG. 16 but may be contained in a Faradaycage or otherwise hidden.

Signal Analysis of Demonstration Embodiment 1600

Laboratory tests and instrument demonstrations focused on remote,at-a-distance, non-invasive detection of gunpowder. A small sample (lessthan a half teaspoon) of commercially-available smokeless gunpowder (orsalt peter) commonly used for reloading spent ammunition for subsequentuse in small arms was placed in the conical-shaped faraday cage 1640located at the bottom end of the demonstration instrument 1600. Thesample was attached to the inside walls near the top of the Faraday cage104, 804 and, referring to FIG. 16, cage 1640, close to, but nottouching, the lower end of the antenna within the vertical barrel of theinstrument. A similar quantity of the gunpowder was placed in a plasticbag to serve as the target material to be remotely detected by the unit.

The single dipole antenna 1645 placed directly below the open end of theFaraday cage was used to excite the system. For the tests describedherein, the excitation signal was a continuous sine wave driven at 18.5megaHertz but may be sample driven and be, for example, a selectedfrequency within a range of 10 to 20 MHz. In earlier embodimentsexplained above, low frequency excitation signals were introduced by asignal generator. The amplitude of the excitation signal emanating fromthe signal generator 1650 and feeding a 50-ohm impedance single dipoleantenna 1645 may be, for example, 500 mV peak-to-peak.

FIG. 21 illustrates the signals that are displayed on a Tektronix 3012Mixed Domain Oscilloscope 1675 from both the excitation circuit 2110 andthe acquisition of the receiving signal 2120. Graphs of data extractedfrom the receiver coils, 1624, 1635, surrounding both the vertical andhorizontal antennas 1610, 1631 were constructed. Note that the uniform,well-defined driver signal 2110 is displayed with an amplitudemultiplier of 100 millivolts per division and a time scale of 20.0nanoseconds per division. The signal emanating from the receiver coils2120 is shifted in phase relationship with the driver signal 2110 anddisplayed at 10 millivolts per division. Coil signal 2120 is clearly asine wave with a frequency exactly corresponding to that of the drivesignal. Equally obvious is the fact that the signal 2120 is comprised ofa single signal that is moving up and down in the vertical plane. Thevisible striations of signal 2120 indicate the time density that thesignal is in a given amplitude range (v(t)) as represented on thevertical axis. Three like signal dense bands (or three complete cycles)are clearly visible on the oscilloscope within the composite signal1620, those dense bands being surrounded by striations that areconsiderably less dense.

To identify the change in signal that occurs when a target materialmatching the material sample inside the Faraday cage 1640 is detected,the signal 1620 accruing to the receiver coils 1624, 1635 was sampledboth (1) when no target substance was present in the vicinity of theinstrument (the sample substance was contained in a separate Faradaycage (not shown)) and (2) when target substance was brought into thefield of view of the instrument 1600.

Sample interval of the high-speed data acquisition system was set at 2.5gigaHertz (two orders of magnitude greater than the Nyquist frequency).Record length for each test was set at 1,000,000 providing a totalsample duration of 0.4 mS for each observation. The signal amplitude forthe vertical scale on the display was set to allow full-scale analoginput of ±50 millivolts. Tests with and without the target materialbeing present were replicated six times.

As one skilled in the art will be aware, peak root mean square (rms) isthe height of the individual peak amplitude values relative to a movingrms average of the signal amplitude; it is a measure of signaldynamics). Signal movement is clearly evident in FIG. 1. Following is atable, TABLE I, comparing the Σ_(Vpeak,(rms)) values for the sixreplication of the test described above.

TABLE I Peak Root Mean Square Values WITHOUT Target Material, WITHTarget Material, Namely, Gunpowder, Namely, Gunpowder, Near TheInstrument Near the Instrument 1.793 1.838 1.784 1.878 1.755 1.866 1.8902.014 1.800 1.815 1.842 1.992

When the target material being sought was in the field of view of theinstrument, the peak rms value of the signal was consistently higherthan when no target material was near the instrument. This observationheld true for signal analyses for a series of two replicated tests withand without the target material, gunpowder, within the field of view ofthe instrument. In this instance, ten million (10,000,000) contiguousdata points were collected and analyzed for each test. Sampling rate wasthe same as when collecting the one million (1,000,000) data points inthe tests outlined above. See Table II below:

TABLE II Peak Root Mean Square Values WITHOUT Target Material, WITHTarget Material, Namely, Gunpowder, Namely, Gunpowder, Near TheInstrument Near the Instrument 2.203 2.435 2.261 2.550

Why does Device 1600 Work?

Naturally occurring electromagnetic radiation along with generatedelectromagnetic radiation (cellular communications, wireless networks,microwave communications systems, and so forth) present in the area mayenter the instrument faraday cage through the bottom opening, pass nearthe suspended target material sample, and move upward along the antennain the vertical shaft. In earlier embodiments, the system was totallypassive with no external RF energy. To strengthen the signal-to-noiseratio and consistency of operation, the electromagnetic signal spectraentering the faraday cage was enhanced by adding a low-power RF sourcewith a single dipole antenna set to emit a constant frequency of 18.5megahertz directly below the faraday cage entrance.

This electromagnetic radiation interacts with the material sample placedin the faraday cage, causing the sample to emit radiation as ischaracteristic of many spectroscopy applications. This radiation emittedby the material in the faraday chamber is added to the RF source notedabove. Signals generated in the faraday cage are transmitted from theinstrument via the top antenna element. The radiation emanating fromthis upper antenna element, including the signal emitted by the targetmaterial contained in the faraday cage, may impinge upon a targetmaterial sample that is in the instrument field of view. Signalsemanating for the target substance are received by the instrumentantenna system, cause a perturbation of the signal appearing on thescreen of the data recorder. Comparative analyses of these signalperturbations indicate whether a material like the one in the faradaychamber has been located.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures in theattachments, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionalityand advantages of the present invention, are presented for examplepurposes only. The present invention is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than thatshown in the accompanying figures.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who arenot familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thistechnical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the present invention in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detector, sensor and locator device for use inlocating a target item comprising, the device comprising anapproximately cylindrical housing adapted to be positioned vertically,the housing having a cap at a top end for receiving an L-shaped antennasupported by a support member fixed to the cylindrical housing, thehousing having a larger diameter Faraday cage affixed to the lower endthereof for receiving an object of interest, the Faraday cage beinglarger in cross-sectional diameter that the approximately cylindricalhousing and being conical in shape so as to direct electromagneticradiation from the object in the Faraday cage toward the cylindricalhousing, the Faraday cage for precluding penetration of externalelectromagnetic fields and for channeling electromagnetic radiationemitted by an object under investigation in the Faraday cage to thecylindrical housing and to the L-shaped antenna having a rotatinghorizontal portion, and a further fixed antenna portion being mountedhorizontally to the cylindrical housing and for pointing in a directionof interest.
 2. The detector, sensor and locator device of claim 1further characterized by a first magnetometer mounted to the furtherfixed antenna for receiving an electromagnetic field of the device. 3.The detector, sensor and locator device of claim 1 further characterizedby a first and a second magnet of similar size, polarity and orientationfor enhancing a magnetic field of the device.
 4. The detector, sensorand locator device of claim 1 further comprising a pickup coil of wirewound around a spool and housed in the housing but permitting passagethere-through of the L-shaped antenna.
 5. The detector, sensor andlocator device of claim 1 wherein the object under investigationcomprises a crystalline lattice structure.
 6. The detector, sensor andlocator device of claim 2 wherein the magnetometer is connected to oneof a controller and to a personal computer for obtaining a display of anelectromagnetic field and an oscilloscope.
 7. The detector, sensor andlocator device of claim 1 wherein the device is stimulated by anexternal loop coil having a very low frequency wave or is pulsed on theorder of less than one Hz to twenty Hz and comprises a signal generatorand an antenna for emitting the wave, the wave comprising anelectromagnetic field.
 8. The detector, sensor and locator device ofclaim 7 wherein the very low frequency wave or pulsing has a frequencyon the order of seven or eight Hz.
 9. The detector, sensor and locatordevice of claim 1 wherein the first and second antennae are fixed andparallel to one another and electrically isolated from the barrel. 10.The detector, sensor and locator device of claim 1 being between 3 and20 inches in length between the Faraday cage and the top of the L-shapedantenna element.
 11. The detector, sensor and locator device of claim 4,the wire wound around the spool being between fine gauge 28 MAG enamelcoated copper wire one layer thick and approximately three to fiveinches in length.
 12. The detector, sensor and locator device of claim1, the object under investigation comprising DNA.
 13. The detector,sensor and locator device of claim 1, the object under investigationcomprising an explosive material.
 14. The detector, sensor and locatordevice of claim 1, the object under investigation comprising aparticular drug.
 15. The detector, sensor and locator device of claim 1,the L-shaped antenna comprising between 18 gauge and 12 gauge wire. 16.The detector, sensor and locator device of claim 5 wherein thecrystalline substance comprises piezoelectric material.
 17. Thedetector, sensor and locator device of claim 5 wherein the crystallinelattice structure comprises ammunition.
 18. A method of operating adetector, sensor and locator device, the detector, sensor and locatordevice comprising an approximately cylindrical housing adapted to bepositioned vertically, the housing having a cap at a top end forreceiving an L-shaped antenna comprising a barrel coil supported by asupport member fixed to the housing; the housing having a largerdiameter Faraday cage affixed to the lower end thereof for receiving anobject of interest; the Faraday cage for precluding penetration ofexternal electromagnetic fields and for channeling electromagneticradiation emitted by an object under investigation to the cylindricalhousing and to the L-shaped antenna having the coil in a verticalsection and a rotating horizontal portion; and a further fixed antennaportion being mounted horizontally to the cylindrical housing and forpointing in a direction of interest comprising a coil, the methodcomprising monitoring a signal from one of a magnetometer mounted to thefixed antenna or a signal from the coils on an oscilloscope, the coilseach wrapped around a spool located respectively inside and outside thebarrel and, by signal analysis, moving the device in the directionindicated by the strongest received electromagnetic signal indicated byroot mean square value and signature waveform an oscilloscope connectedto the coils.
 19. A method of operating a detector, sensor and locatordevice, the detector, sensor and locator device according to claim 18comprising placing an object of interest in the Faraday cage, theFaraday cage having a lid for receiving the object of interest and thelid comprising a non-conductive material.
 20. A method of operating adetector, sensor and locator device, the detector, sensor and locatordevice according to claim 18 comprising suspending an object of interestin the Faraday cage, the Faraday cage being open at the bottom.